Upper River Hiking

Upper River District Hikes in the Buffalo River National Park

The most rugged and most beautiful, the Upper River District is the largest section of the park. Explore the Buffalo River Trail for panoramic views of the river. Upper river trails take you to historic home sites and cemeteries, caves, and numerous waterfalls including the highest waterfall between the Rockies and the Appalachians.

Ponca-Steel Creek
Easy to moderate 2.3 mile (one way) hike featuring views of the Buffalo from bluffs. The Trailhead is located at the Ponca Lowwater Bridge.

Steel Creek-Kyles
Moderate to strenuous 7.9 mile hike (one way) featuring panoramic views of the river. The Trailhead is located at Steel Creek.

Kyles-Erbie
Moderate to strenuous 7.4 mile hike (one way) featuring a historic cemetery and homestead. The Trailhead is located at Kyles Landing Campground. Download a Kyles’s to Pruitt Trail Map.

Center Point-Hemmed in Hollow
Very strenuous 10.8 mile hike featuring the highest waterfall in the Midwest. Hemmed in Hollow waterfall is 204 feet. The Trailhead is located off of Highway 43 north of Ponca. Allow 6-7 hours to hike the full trail.

Compton-Hemmed in Hollow
Very strenuous 5 mile hike with 1,100 feet elevation change and features the highest waterfall in the Midwest. The Trailhead is located off of County Road 19, south of the Compton Post Office. Allow 5-6 hours to hike the full trail.

Cecil Cove Loop
Moderate 6.8 mile hike featuring a cave, cemetery and old homestead sites. The Trailhead is north Erbie Road. Allow 5-6 hours to hike the full trail.

Cherry Grove Loop
Easy 2 mile hike. The Trailhead is on the Buffalo River Trail at Parker-Hickman Farm. Take the Buffalo River Trail to Cherry Grove Cemetery. Allow 1-3 hours to hike the full trail.

South Erbie Loop
Easy 1.8 mile hike. The Trailhead is at Erbie Campground. Take the trail to Parker-Hickman Farmstead and the Buffalo River Trail east back to the campground. Allow 1-2 hours to hike the full trail.

Erbie-Cedar Grove
Moderate 4.3 mile hike (one way) featuring a historic cemetery. The Cedar Grove area is wheelchhair accessible. The Trailhead is located at Erbie Campground.

Cedar Grove-Ozark
Moderate 1.7 mile hike (one way). Located along the Buffalo River Trail, the Trailhead is off south Erbie Road.

Ponds Trail
Easy .4 mile hike featuring a viewing deck on the South Pond-wheelchair accessible. Note: the North Pond is accessible only by hiking. The Trailhead is at Cedar Grove on Erbie Road. Allow .5-1 hour to hike the full trail.

Do you have physical or mobility issues? You can still enjoy the Buffalo River National Park. Follow scenic drives or discover wheelchair accessible trails in the park. Photograph wild elk grazing in the valley from your car or explore endless trails with breathtaking waterfalls and historical significance.